Measure K proponents making false promise over cemetery development issue

Oct. 12, 2013

Jeff Mitchell / The Salinas Californian

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Under the Dome

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One thing you can say about Monterey Downs proposer-in-chief Brian Boudreau is that he most decidedly not a dumb man.

In fact, he’s an incredibly shrewd guy.

After all it was Boudreau or one his aides that came up with the idea of linking his Measure K to local military veterans getting their long-awaited cemetery on the grounds of the former Fort Ord.

And even though there are so many prickly questions surrounding the proposed horse racing, hotel and housing development, he has, nevertheless, effectively shifted attention away from those issues to the plight of the veterans.

And as the Nov. 5 election nears, Boudreau actually has got folks out there thinking that all he cares about is getting these honored warriors of ours a dignified final resting place.

If I didn’t know better, I’d almost tear up a bit myself over his concern.

Fortunately, I do know better.

In a cold and calculating manner, Boudreau and his partisans have used smoke and mirrors to turn what was going to be a tough but fair electoral fight over land use policy into the political equivalent of a referendum on whether you like puppies or sea otters.

Everyone likes and appreciates the service of vets. There’s no question about that. My dad and all of my uncles served with distinction during World War II. They and millions like them uprooted their lives here stateside and literally went out and saved the world for us.

Those who served in our name in conflicts thereafter also deserve our appreciation, respect and everything we can give them.

It’s true that Central Coast vets have waited for a dignified resting place since long before 1994 when Fort Ord blew final “Taps” and closed its gates for the last time.

Boudreau bravely suggests that a vote for Measure K is a vote for the veterans — it’s a vote to “keep the promise.”

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Unfortunately, too many vets are gullibly buying into what he is “selling” because Measure K doesn’t guarantee that any such cemetery will ever be built.

Moreover, it sadly hoodwinks them — many of whom are now in well into their 70s or 80s or older — into pledging their unwavering support and in some cases their own money in support of his proposal and measure.

Some of the vets say they’re “sticking with the one that’s brought them to the dance.”

Normally, I think we’d all say this is an admirable reaction.

In this case, though, it’s just misplaced devotion.

They say, in essence, he’s made us a promise to us and if he makes enough money on the project he’ll deliver on the cemetery.

Well, they don’t have that in writing and, yes, words can be cheap.

The only people who will ultimately build what is to be called the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery is the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation and the dozens and dozens of big and small contributors who have so generously given to the cause.

And the folks at the foundation say they are closing in on the amount necessary to begin building the facility. Jimmy Panetta, a Monterey County deputy district attorney and a member of the cemetery foundation board, said the total cost of the first phase will be about $9.4 million. Of that, they have almost $9 million in hand or available through grants or loans from federal, state and local sources. The foundation, he said, is now in overdrive to raise the remaining balance from local sources.

It’s lawmakers like Sam Farr and Bill Monning and others that have squeezed real money out of Washington, D.C. and Sacramento for this project.

Those electeds and others — many from local foundations and community organizations — are the folks who will get this cemetery built. It won’t be some developer who needs a ballot measure to pass in order to rewrite land use rules so that his project can be accommodated.

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And, yes, let me add here that these measures in the end are all about location and appropriateness and whether we believe that Fort Ord can become the hub of a multibillion-dollar recreation and tourism industry in this county.

So not only has Boudreau frosted my gourd in his callous manipulation of our vets, he seems not to care how Measure K is playing right here in Salinas.

On Wednesday, Monterey County Weekly Editor Mary Duan and I were asked to moderate a forum organized by Salinas City Councilman Tony Barrera that was to feature representatives of Measure K and from Measure M — a countervailing initiative, that if successful, will lock into perpetual open space the very land at Fort Ord Boudreau wants to build on.

We were all set to go — I was there, Mary was there and so were two reps from Measure M, including Jason Campbell, Measure M’s co-author.

Missing from the forum however — which Barrera had planned weeks earlier — was Boudreau or anyone from the Measure K team.

Really?

We heard later that Boudreau was busy at some other affair at a nearby golf club.

If true, that’s just unbelievable.

The Measure K team’s conspicuous absence, however, did force Ralph Villar, a highly decorated veteran who served during both the Korean and Vietnam wars, to step into the breach.

Let me just say that Mr. Villar is one tough dude and he stood up well to our questions and the questions from the 25 or so in the audience.

And though I don’t agree with him on this issue, you can’t help but like and respect him.

Boudreau and the Measure K team? Not so much.

But, hey, as always, please draw your own conclusions.

I just ask that you all take the time to study these initiatives and do your homework before you hit the voting booth or send your ballot back by mail.

A lot is on the line here — make no mistake about that.

Jeff Mitchell covers Salinas Valley politics and government. Under the Dome, an opinion column, appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in print and online. For quick political hits, check out Under the Dome – The Blog, available most every day at: www.theCalifornian.com